Washington D.C. Family Restaurants

This enormous three-level restaurant offers expansive views of Capitol Hill. Pick from nearly a hundred entrees from "Not-your-Momma's Meatloaf" to traditional turkey dinner, and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. Vibrant art-deco murals of bridges and skyscrapers keep babies entertained.

American City Diner is located just over a mile north of the zoo. Here you can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner, 24-hours a day. The diner is a favorite for burgers, pizza, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, plus fast service. Classic movies are shown nightly at 8:30 p.m. so you can show your kids some of your favorite old flicks.

This cafeteria-style eatery is a Washington landmark and recently celebrated its 50th year serving up delicious chili, dogs and thick milkshakes. Be sure to check out the many photos of famous patrons that line the walls.

For a taste of France, take the kids to this authentic Parisian Bistro just a few steps from the C&O Canal and try favorites like chicken cordon bleu or croque-monsier. Then follow it up with a pastry.

Firefly is a neighborhood restaurant offering contemporary American food like meatballs with tomato sauce, matzoh ball soup, and chicken and mushroom pot pie. Kids love the forest-inspired decor with its floor-to-ceiling "firefly tree", hung lanterns and chefs that can be seen from behind a stone wall.

Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries is an inexpensive chain which frequently wins "best burger" awards in local magazines. The menu is limited to made-to-order burgers, grilled hot-dogs, French fries and grilled cheese, plus a wide assortment of toppings. People with allergies beware: diners can munch on unlimited amounts of ballpark-like peanuts.

Fogo de Chao is located downtown near the White House and National Theatre. Growing kids with big (and expensive) appetites love this award-winning all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse. The tender cuts of slow-roasted meats are presented on skewers and carved tableside by authentic Gaucho chefs. Patrons indicate whether or not they want second helpings by flipping a cardboard Fogo de Chao circle to green (red means "no thanks"). Beware: kids love to take the circles with them for use at home.

Love Cafe is great for the while family. Sit indoors or out and munch on sandwiches, then hit the "cupcake bar," where you can pick your butter cream icing and toppings for your cake.